Last Friday, the Chief Judge of the New Hampshire Federal District Court, Joseph N. Laplante, ruled in Captain David Goethel and Sector 13’s lawsuit opposing industry-funded at-sea monitoring (ASM). Without getting too much into the weeds – and this lawsuit was all weeds – let’s break down the ruling. … More Info »

At its Aug. 3 meeting, the Menhaden Management Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will decide how much menhaden fishermen will be allowed to catch along the East Coast in 2017. If managers increase the catch limit, hundreds of millions more menhaden—often called “the most important fish in the sea” because of their role as food for predators—will be removed from the Atlantic Ocean. Here are 10 reasons the board should not raise the existing catch limit on these forage fish. … More Info »

In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, UMass SMAST wins a patent on a 3-D counting system; Fishchoice.com releases a new Acadian redfish seafood guide; ASMFC extends Atlantic herring catch restrictions; the Herring River restoration project receives the state go-ahead; Larry the lobster is saved from becoming dinner; Senator Gillibrand proposes a new invasive species law; and Atlantic sturgeon spawn in the Connecticut River. … More Info »

In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, Gloucester hosts an invitation-only event on fish stock assessments; no ‘bait-to-plate’ leaves big gaps for fish fraud; the New England Aquarium launches a new research center; for the first time in decades, herring are spawning in a Hudson River tributary; and Maine scallop farmers borrow from Japan in test to expand fishery. … More Info »

According to John Williamson, “Our priority as fishermen should be no further loss of [environment’s capability to produce fish for commercial and recreational fisheries.]…Regional Ocean Plans both attempt to improve consultation among agencies and with the fishing public, i.e., with fishermen, trade associations and the fishery management councils.” … More Info »

In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, the New England Aquarium is studying imperiled skate populations; Maine raises the age for lobstermen to complete an apprenticeship; a rare lottery for clams could mean income for a lifetime; a forum in Rhode Island will discuss challenges facing the commercial fishing industry; and the Portland Press Herald says Maine would benefit from seafood traceability. … More Info »

In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, a federal judge denies fishermen’s motion to shift the cost of the at-sea monitoring program to fishermen; the Bangor Daily News tells “how a groundfish disaster today can spawn a different-looking fishery tomorrow”; NOAA Fisheries expands critical habitat for North Atlantic right whales; some dislike proposal to ease long waits for Maine lobstering licenses; Massachusetts Senate approves lobster processing bill; feds to help Gloucester brand its seafood; climate change causes four degree rise in Buzzards Bay; and the U.S. Senate says climate change is not caused by humans. … More Info »

In this edition of Fish Talk in the News, The Economist details the successful business model behind New Bedford’s whaling industry; NOAA discovers remains of 1800s whaling ships; NOAA hires uniformed enforcement officers; Maine’s Marine Resources Committee schedules a hearing on elver legislation; the Coast Guard reviews policies after fatality; a presidential candidate meets with New Hampshire fishermen; and NEFMC releases the agenda for its January meeting. … More Info »

Members of Congress inserted a provision into the recently-passed omnibus federal spending bill that prohibits the sale of genetically modified salmon until the FDA establishes “labeling guidelines” for the product. Even though this stipulation is only in effect until September 2016, it gets to the heart of the issue with GMO salmon – consumer choice. … More Info »